Informing the discussion around oil sands

Energy Consumption

January 16, 2015

While Western Canada figures prominently in discussion of Canada’s energy future, it’s important to understand the energy systems in all areas of the country. To shed light on the energy situation in Quebec, researchers from HEC Montreal and the Business School at University Montreal recently launched the first edition of The State of Energy in Quebec. This annual overview looks at current energy sources and usage, as well as what can be expected in 2015. Read more about the assessment in this blog post from Canadian Energy Systems Analysis Research, which contributed data and graphics to the study.

November 21, 2014

With an eye on the global energy picture, the International Energy Agency recently released its World Energy Outlook 2014. The report, among other things, explores the state of the global energy system, world energy demand through 2040 and nuclear power as a future energy option.

November 7, 2014

In addition to joy and memories, the happiest place on earth is now creating something else – energy! Select Disney World restaurants and local area hotels are converting food waste and used cooking oils into biogas. A creative way that’s helping to fuel the park!

October 17, 2014

Climate change is a global issue with some countries routinely singled out for blame. Although China’s emissions are increasing on a per-capita basis, reports show that Americans and Europeans continue to produce more CO2 emissions per average person. Future Tense shines the light on how lifestyle counts when tallying world CO2 emissions.

September 19, 2014

When you hear 'carbon emissions' you might assume someone’s talking about energy use or industry development, but you may be wrong. Carbon emissions can also come from food waste and one photographer is capturing it on film. Gregg Segal’s project, 7 Days of Garbage, showcases people among their weekly waste and is sure to make you think twice before throwing out that egg carton.

March 28, 2014

Do you ever wonder where your energy comes from or how it’s used? Check out the interactive Your Energy Story website, which was spearheaded by Canadian Senator Elaine McCoy to highlight for Canadians how all the energy they consume gets used and where it comes from.

December 6, 2013

With current population growth and our world becoming ever more interconnected, the climate system continues to change. Find out more about what this could mean for the earth and the societies within it in this video from the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme.

October 25, 2013

We often muse about what would happen if our access to energy was unceremoniously disrupted. But in fact, we’ve lived this scenario before. In 1973, due to actions by the Organizations of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), vital oil supply lines to many western counties abruptly cutoff. In his article The Day the Oil Pipes Went Dry, economist and author Peter Tertzakian outlines the shocking impacts of that energy shortage and the likelihood of it happening again.

Oil Sands Question and Response (OSQAR) is a blog created by Suncor Energy to support constructive dialogue about the oil sands. In our weekly posts, we talk about the energy industry, environmental impact, tailings management and reclamation, water management and the social and economic implications of oil sands development.

Our oil sands operations are near Fort McMurray, Alberta, where we recover bitumen from oil sands through mining and in situ operations. The bitumen from both operations is then upgraded to refinery-ready feedstock and diesel fuel. More about the where and the what of the oil sands can be found on our oil sands resource page.